Illegal fishermen arrested at Tema

About 58 fishermen in Tema have been arrested by the Fisheries Commission Taskforce and handed over to the Tema Regional Police.

They were arrested on Friday November 10 in Tema for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing. Six of the suspects have been detained by the Police.

Earlier this year, the eight-member Task Force was inaugurated to enforce fisheries law and regulations.

The Task Force is expected to help improve enforcement of the required conditions for the renewal of fishing license for fishing vessels in accordance with Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.I 1968), Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 880) and the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations, 2015 (L.I 2217).

It is also expected to inspect sanitary and hygienic conditions to ascertain if they meet minimum sanitary conditions, inspect the cabins and washroom facilities and safety equipment to ascertain if they are sufficient for the crew, inspect radio and communication equipment, fishing gear, validity of fishing license, fishing logbooks, validity of insurance for hull, machinery and crew members as well as assess if a vessel has met the required conditions for undertaking fishing trip.